The diameter (size) of this tube is? Orange Color .jpeg )

AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

The diameter (size) of this tube is? Orange Color

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Suction catheters use a universal color-coding system for quick and accurate size identification in clinical settings.
The orange color code specifically corresponds to a 16 French (Fr) size.
The French (Fr) scale measures the external diameter of the catheter, where 1 Fr is equal to 0.33 mm. Therefore, a 16 Fr catheter has an outer diameter of approximately 5.3 mm.

Option A: A 14 Fr suction catheter is color-coded green, not orange.
Option C: A 12 Fr suction catheter is color-coded light blue or white, not orange.
Option D: An 18 Fr suction catheter is color-coded red, not orange.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Suction Catheter Sizing and Color Coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Selecting the correct catheter size is crucial to prevent airway trauma and hypoxia. A catheter that is too large can obstruct the airway during suctioning and damage the tracheal mucosa.
A general rule for sizing is that the outer diameter of the suction catheter should not exceed one-half of the internal diameter of the endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.
What if the patient has a size 8.0 mm internal diameter (ID) endotracheal tube? The maximum catheter size would be (8.0 / 2) * 3 = 12 Fr. Therefore, a 12 Fr (light blue/white) catheter would be the appropriate choice, not a 16 Fr (orange) one, to ensure adequate airflow around the catheter.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question: the item is a suction tube and its color is orange.
The question asks for the size (diameter) based on the color.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of the standard color-coding system for medical equipment, specifically suction catheters.
Recall the color chart for suction catheters.
Match the color 'orange' to its corresponding French (Fr) size.
Select the option that matches the identified size (16 Fr).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 2 p. 89-91

Practise the full AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.